Tips for writing a Request For Proposal (RFP) for an ILS at the [http://www.smlc.lib.mi.us/Request%20for%20Proposal%20%28RFP%29/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Integrated%20Library%20System.pdf Southwest Michigan Library Cooperative] (opens as a PDF)

Tips for writing a Request For Proposal (RFP) for an ILS at the [http://www.smlc.lib.mi.us/Request%20for%20Proposal%20%28RFP%29/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Integrated%20Library%20System.pdf Southwest Michigan Library Cooperative] (opens as a PDF)

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Things to consider when selecting an ILS (culled from a list provided by Pat Williams at the Oklahoma Department of Libraries):

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*What's included and what's extra? (Modules, extra options, etc.)

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*Is there a start up fee? Migration costs? Training costs?

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*What kinds of reports are generated? Can you create your own?

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*What are the security considerations?

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*Will new software work with existing computers, peripherals, etc.?

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*What kind of training (in person, online,etc.) and support is offered?

= ILS Options =

= ILS Options =

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The ILS market is made up of proprietary software from companies and open source products. Check out the Libsuccess page about [http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Open_Source_Software open source software products].

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Also, there are a vareity of resources available about [http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=OPACs/ OPACs].

View a history of library automation at the [http://www.librarytechnology.org/automationhistory.pl?SID=20091208388824462/ Library Technology Guides website.] See which systems have been bought out or retired.

= Blogs/Websites to watch =

= Blogs/Websites to watch =

*[http://www.librarytechnology.org/ Library Technology Guides: Key resources in the field of library automation] Maintained by Marshall Breeding who, for the past six years, has written the annual Automated System Marketplace article for Library Journal.

*[http://www.librarytechnology.org/ Library Technology Guides: Key resources in the field of library automation] Maintained by Marshall Breeding who, for the past six years, has written the annual Automated System Marketplace article for Library Journal.

*[http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2008/05/27/wordpress-for-library-websites/ Wordpress for Library Websites] by Meredith Farkas. A blog post with information about using open source software Wordpress as a content management system for a library website. The comments list many libraries using Wordpress for their websites.

*[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb6365/is_200707/ai_n32237077/?tag=content;col1/ ILS Migration in the 21st century] by Frank Cervone from Computers in Libraries, July/Aug 2007.

*[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb6365/is_200707/ai_n32237077/?tag=content;col1/ ILS Migration in the 21st century] by Frank Cervone from Computers in Libraries, July/Aug 2007.

Latest revision as of 12:47, 9 August 2012

Integrated Library Systems (ILS) are the systems that support library functions like cataloging, circulation, the OPAC or catalog, and management of acquisitions. Find a description of what an ILS is at the Wikipedia entry for "Integrated Library System".